In order to meet the ever-growing safety requirements, EN ISO 7010 is regularly expanded to include new symbols. For example, last year the…
Disinfect hands (M061) and disinfect surfaces (M062) symbols introduced to specify safety requirements that were not previously covered by standardized symbols.

Today we would like to introduce you to ten further important additions to EN ISO 7010 that will help you make your safety labeling even more precise and understandable. These new symbols – W087, W088, W089, P080, P081, M068, M069, M070, M071 and M072 – address specific hazards and behaviors that are critical to accident prevention.

Since safety signs generally contain neither characters nor numbers, it is important to include universally understandable pictograms in the standards.

Let’s take a closer look at these new security signs:

Warning Sign: High Volume Warning, W087

This new warning sign W087 is designed to warn of high volume levels for extended periods of time. The symbol shows a human ear from which three curved lines emerge as sound waves. The danger lies in exposure to such volume levels that can cause hearing damage. The sign is intended to encourage people to take precautionary measures to avoid such noise exposure.

Compared to the long-existing safety symbol “Warning of sudden loud noises” (W038), the new symbol differentiates between acute/sudden noise exposure and persistent noise exposure.

Warning Sign: Moving Blade Warning, W088

The warning sign W088 warns about moving blades. Depicted are fan-shaped blades (knives) along with a hand and severed fingers. The obvious danger comes from the moving, sharp-edged components. The symbol encourages you to exercise caution and avoid contact with such moving parts.

Warning sign: Warning of moving gears, W089

The warning sign W089 is used to warn of moving gears. The pictogram shows a hand caught between two gears. The danger lies in the risk of entrapment by the moving gears, and the sign is intended to provide precautionary measures and prevent serious hand injuries. To date, similar tried-and-tested variants have often been used to deal with the risk of gears being pulled in. This is now standardized with the new symbol.

Prohibition sign: Access prohibited for unauthorized persons, P080

This prohibition sign P080 is used to prohibit unauthorized persons from entering a certain area. The symbol shows a large, filled hand being extended by a human figure in the background. The danger is that people without appropriate authorization enter areas. The sign is intended to ensure that unauthorized persons do not enter the marked, restricted areas.

Prohibition sign: Do not cover the device, P081

The prohibition sign P081 signals a prohibition on covering a device with things. The symbolic image shows a draped towel or cloth and socks covering a device shown as a rectangle with two horizontal lines. The danger here is that the device will overheat, which can lead to a fire. The symbol is intended to help prevent fires by refraining from covering the device. The representation differs from the symbol P030 (DIN 4844) in the elements shown.

Mandatory sign: Block moving machine parts, M068

This mandatory sign M068 indicates that moving machine parts must be blocked before entering an area for maintenance or repair work. The symbol shows two interlocking gears with a lock above them. The danger lies in being crushed by these moving parts. The sign is intended to encourage people to lock out moving machine parts before entering a maintenance or repair access area.

Mandatory sign: hook tools, M069

This mandatory symbol M069 signals that tools must be securely fastened. The symbol represents a wrench attached to a snap hook and ring with a cord. The danger is that working personnel can endanger others through falling tools. The sign is intended to remind people to tie up tools in work areas.

Mandatory sign: Use decontamination shower, M072

This mandatory sign M072 means that a decontamination shower must be used. The symbol shows a human figure in protective clothing between two shower heads, one on the left and one on the right. The danger results from harmful particles or contamination. The symbol is intended to encourage people to use the decontamination shower to clean or decontaminate protective clothing.

Mandatory sign: Use lamp in luminaire with shielding, M070

The mandatory sign M070 indicates that a lamp may only be used in a luminaire with a protective shield. The pictogram depicts a glowing light bulb within an enclosure from which light rays emerge downwards. Failure to follow this requirement creates the risk of injury such as heat damage, fire, shattering, or UV radiation from contact with or exposure to the unshielded lamp. The symbol is intended to ensure that the lamp is only operated in a luminaire with a protective shield.

Mandatory sign: Use anti-tip device, M071

The mandatory sign M071 signals that anti-tip devices must be used. The symbol shows an arrow and a bolt going through a representation of an appliance or furniture into a wall. The danger that arises from non-compliance is that objects tip over and fall. The sign requires the use of anti-tip devices to prevent this danger.

Why these new symbols are important:

The introduction of these new symbols underlines the ongoing adaptation of ISO 7010 to the diverse and evolving hazard areas in industry, commerce and public spaces. By providing specific warnings and instructions, these signs enable more precise communication of safety information.

The consistent use of standard-compliant safety signs not only improves occupational safety and the protection of people, but also helps prevent damage to property. Rely on standardized and clear labels to proactively address dangers.

Optimize your labeling with new standardized symbols!
Rely on standard-compliant, specific labeling of safety devices and hazards in accordance with EN ISO 7010. You can find suitable templates for these and many other safety symbols in our SETON online shop.

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